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Looi JCL. Healthcare provider data breaches - framework for crisis communication and support of patients and healthcare workers in mental healthcare. Australas Psychiatry 2024; 32:319-322. [PMID: 38875170 PMCID: PMC11318211 DOI: 10.1177/10398562241261818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Increasing numbers of healthcare data breaches highlight the need for structured organisational responses to protect patients, trainees and psychiatrists against identity theft and blackmail. Evidence-based guidance that is informed by the COVID-19 pandemic response includes: timely and reliable information tailored to users' safety, encouragement to take protective action, and access to practical and psychological support. For healthcare organisations which have suffered a data breach, insurance essentially improves access to funded cyber security responses, risk communication and public relations. Patients, trainees and psychiatrists need specific advice on protective measures. Healthcare data security legislative reform is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey CL Looi
- Jeffrey CL Looi, Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, The Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology, Building 4, Level 2, Canberra Hospital, PO Box 11, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia.
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Gu Y, Kalibatseva Z, Song X, Prakash S. Effective use of online COVID-19 information and eHealth information literacy among US university students. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024; 72:1458-1465. [PMID: 35658100 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2080505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to understand students' ability to search the Internet for COVID-19 information and apply it to evaluate the veracity of specific statements. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 239) at a US university completed a Web-based questionnaire in September-October 2020. Methods: The questionnaire included self-reported measures of online health information literacy, COVID-19 knowledge, and anxiety along with exercises on searching and evaluating COVID information online. Results: Students reported moderate levels of information literacy (76%, 3.8 out of 5), but did not perform as well while searching the Internet for COVID-19 information (average accuracy: 65%, 10.5 out of 16 points). Students with higher Internet exercise scores reported higher GPA, higher household income, and liberal political views, and were more likely to follow public health measures [ie, social distancing, mask wearing, and not self-medicating with (hydroxy)chloroquine]. Conclusions: University students may overestimate their information literacy while struggling with searching the Internet for accurate COVID-19 information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Gu
- School of Health Sciences, Stockton University, Galloway, NJ, USA
| | - Zornitsa Kalibatseva
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Stockton University, Galloway, NJ, USA
| | - Xu Song
- School of Arts and Humanities, Stockton University, Galloway, NJ, USA
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Yi Y, Chiu DK. Public information needs during the COVID-19 outbreak: a qualitative study in mainland China. LIBRARY HI TECH 2023. [DOI: 10.1108/lht-08-2022-0398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PurposeThe impact of COVID-19 has led to a surge in the public’s reliance on the Internet for pandemic information, and the policy of home isolation has exacerbated this. This study aimed to investigate public information needs and ways of accessing and disseminating information during COVID-19 in mainland China.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a qualitative research approach to conduct semi-structured interviews with 15 participants from 9 cities in mainland China about information needs and access behaviors during the COVID-19 outbreak. All interview recordings were converted into text and proofread, then coded and summarised in correspondence with the research questions using the grounded theory.FindingsThis study summarized the dynamics of public information needs during the 2.5-year pandemic and identified the difficulties in accessing certain information.Originality/valueAlthough information needs of public health emergencies have been a hot topic during COVID-19, scant studies focus on information needs in specific countries in Asia, especially in mainland China, the first country with a major outbreak and stringent lockdown mandates. Therefore, the current study is well enriched by focusing on information demand behavior in the context of COVID-19. Possible measures for improvement were also given to existing and potential problems, taking into account the participants’ views.
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Looi JC, Maguire PA, Bastiampillai T, Allison S. Penumbra of the pandemic workplace for psychiatrists and trainees in Australia. Australas Psychiatry 2022; 30:736-738. [PMID: 35748803 PMCID: PMC9234374 DOI: 10.1177/10398562221109742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A commentary on the workforce, infrastructure and health of psychiatrists and trainees providing psychiatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. CONCLUSIONS The wide-ranging workplace, health system and societal changes necessitated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus have altered the practice and working lives of psychiatrists, trainees and other healthcare workers, as well as the general population. There have been workplace innovations, recalibrations and losses. There is a new baseline upon which to build better psychiatric services, as the pandemic's penumbra recedes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Cl Looi
- Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, 104822The Australian National University Medical School, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA), Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Paul A Maguire
- Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, 104822The Australian National University Medical School, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA), Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Tarun Bastiampillai
- Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA), Canberra, ACT, Australia; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, 2541Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen Allison
- Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA), Canberra, ACT, Australia; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Maguire PA, Looi JCL. Risk perception research informing recommendations for COVID-19 preventative health measures and public messaging. Australas Psychiatry 2022; 30:601-603. [PMID: 35938882 PMCID: PMC9361031 DOI: 10.1177/10398562221117060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide a commentary on evidence-based recommendations for COVID-19 pandemic risk communication for more effective public health measures. METHOD We apply the principles of risk communication to address key issues in the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS Risk perception and communication research usefully informs preventative health education and public messaging during disease outbreaks such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, especially for those with severe mental illness. CONCLUSIONS Key recommendations for pandemic public health risk communication are: clear, timely and balanced information from a reputable source; accurate and non-sensationalised depiction of infection, morbidity and mortality rates; awareness of fear as a powerful motivator for adoption of protective measures against the causative virus; promotion of self-efficacy and sense of control in terms of mitigating the health threats associated with a pandemic; correction of mis- and disinformation regarding the pandemic and associated protective measures; and messaging may need to be modified for people with a mental illness to avoid exacerbations of depressive and anxiety symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Maguire
- Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, 104822The Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA), Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jeffrey C L Looi
- Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, 104822The Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,104822Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA), Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Rawlings L, Looi JCL, Robson SJ. Economic Considerations in COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Refusal: A Survey of the Literature. THE ECONOMIC RECORD 2022; 98:214-229. [PMID: 35937100 PMCID: PMC9347763 DOI: 10.1111/1475-4932.12667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 global pandemic has triggered one of the greatest economic shocks in a century. Effective COVID-19 vaccines have been developed, but a proportion of people either are hesitant or refuse to be vaccinated, facilitated by a global misinformation campaign. If 'herd immunity' cannot be achieved, there is potential not only for ongoing surges in infection, but also for development of new strains of the virus that could evade vaccines and precipitate further health and economic crises. We review the economics of vaccination and of vaccine hesitancy and refusal, and their potential effects on the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Rawlings
- Crawford School of Public PolicyCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Jeffrey C. L. Looi
- College of Health and MedicineAustralian National UniversityGarranAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Stephen J. Robson
- College of Health and MedicineAustralian National UniversityGarranAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
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Joseph AM, Fernandez V, Kritzman S, Eaddy I, Cook OM, Lambros S, Jara Silva CE, Arguelles D, Abraham C, Dorgham N, Gilbert ZA, Chacko L, Hirpara RJ, Mayi BS, Jacobs RJ. COVID-19 Misinformation on Social Media: A Scoping Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e24601. [PMID: 35664409 PMCID: PMC9148617 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Social media allows for easy access and sharing of information in real-time. Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, social media has been used as a tool for public health officials to spread valuable information. However, many Internet users have also used it to spread misinformation, commonly referred to as "fake news." The spread of misinformation can lead to detrimental effects on the infrastructure of healthcare and society. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the sources and impact of COVID-19 misinformation on social media and examine potential strategies for limiting the spread of misinformation. A systemized search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases using search terms relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic, social media, misinformation, or disinformation was conducted. Identified titles and abstracts were screened to select original reports and cross-checked for duplications. Using both inclusion and exclusion criteria, results from the initial literature search were screened by independent reviewers. After quality assessment and screening for relevance, 20 articles were included in the final review. The following three themes emerged: (1) sources of misinformation, (2) impact of misinformation, and (3) strategies to limit misinformation about COVID-19 on social media. Misinformation was commonly shared on social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, messaging applications, and personal websites. The utilization of social media for the dissemination of evidence-based information was shown to be beneficial in combating misinformation. The evidence suggests that both individual websites and social media networks play a role in the spread of COVID-19 misinformation. This practice may potentially exacerbate the severity of the pandemic, create mistrust in public health experts, and impact physical and mental health. Efforts to limit and prevent misinformation require interdisciplinary, multilevel approaches involving government and public health agencies, social media corporations, and social influencers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Joseph
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Virginia Fernandez
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Sophia Kritzman
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Isabel Eaddy
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Olivia M Cook
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Sarah Lambros
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Cesar E Jara Silva
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Daryl Arguelles
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Christy Abraham
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Noelle Dorgham
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Zachary A Gilbert
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Lindsey Chacko
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Ram J Hirpara
- Medical School, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Bindu S Mayi
- Basic Sciences, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
| | - Robin J Jacobs
- Medical and Behavioral Research; Health Informatics; Medical Education, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
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Pian W, Chi J, Ma F. The causes, impacts and countermeasures of COVID-19 "Infodemic": A systematic review using narrative synthesis. Inf Process Manag 2021; 58:102713. [PMID: 34720340 PMCID: PMC8545871 DOI: 10.1016/j.ipm.2021.102713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An unprecedented infodemic has been witnessed to create massive damage to human society. However, it was not thoroughly investigated. This systematic review aims to (1) synthesize the existing literature on the causes and impacts of COVID-19 infodemic; (2) summarize the proposed strategies to fight with COVID-19 infodemic; and (3) identify the directions for future research. A systematic literature search following the PRISMA guideline covering 12 scholarly databases was conducted to retrieve various types of peer-reviewed articles that reported causes, impacts, or countermeasures of the infodemic. Empirical studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool. A coding theme was iteratively developed to categorize the causes, impacts, and countermeasures found from the included studies. Social media usage, low level of health/eHealth literacy, and fast publication process and preprint service are identified as the major causes of the infodemic. Besides, the vicious circle of human rumor-spreading behavior and the psychological issues from the public (e.g., anxiety, distress, fear) emerges as the characteristic of the infodemic. Comprehensive lists of countermeasures are summarized from different perspectives, among which risk communication and consumer health information need/seeking are of particular importance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed and future research directions are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Pian
- School of Economics & Management, Fuzhou University, 2 Xueyuan Road, Qishan Campus, Fuzhou City 350116
- Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 315 Xihong Road, Fuzhou City 350025, China
| | - Jianxing Chi
- School of Communication, Fujian Normal University, 1 Keji Road, Qishan Campus, Fuzhou City, 350117, China
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan City 430072, China
| | - Feicheng Ma
- Center for Studies of Information Resources, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan City 430072, China
- Big Data Institute, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan City 430072, China
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